Title 1, Government

Composition. The Northern Mariana Islands national guard shall consist of the national guard and other organizations and units authorized by the laws of the United States or the regulations issued thereunder for the national guard. Source: PL 13-32, § 4.

Command. The governor shall be the commander in chief of the forces comprising the militia. The governor is authorized to promulgate such rules, regulations and forms therefore as are not inconsistent with law, and to carry into full effect the law relative thereto. The rules, re…

Organization and Recognition of Units. The governor may organize the national guard in accordance with their strength as authorized from time to time and in conformity with the tables of organization prescribed by the United States Secretary of Defense. Source: PL 13-32, § 6.

Adjutant General: Appointment. The adjutant general shall be the executive head of the militia. The adjutant general shall be nominated and, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, appointed by the governor, for a term to expire at the end of the term for which the gove…

Adjutant General: Rank and Salary. The adjutant general shall have the grade of a general officer. The salary of the adjutant general shall be commensurate with the active-duty pay and allowance fixed by the tables of the regular armed forces of the United States. Source: PL 13-3…

Adjutant General: Duties. The adjutant general shall perform such duties as are prescribed by law and such other military duties consistent with the regulations and customs of the armed forces of the United States as required by the governor. The adjutant general shall supervise …

Administration. The adjutant general shall from time to time make and publish such orders and regulations, not inconsistent with law, as are necessary to bring the organization, armament, equipment, and discipline of the organized militia to a state of efficiency as nearly as pos…

Staff for Military Components: Organization. (a) The headquarters staff of the national guard shall be composed of the national guard component, which shall include a selective service section. The headquarters shall be staffed by such officers, warrant officers and enlisted pers…

GENERAL PROVISIONS § 102. Commonwealth: Defined. “Commonwealth,” when used in this code to describe a geographical area, means the Northern Mariana Islands, as defined in 1 CMC § 101; otherwise, it means the government established under the Constitution which became effective on …

GENERAL PROVISIONS § 103. Covenant: Defined. “Covenant” means the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union With the United States of America. Source: U.S. Public Law 94-241 (90 Stat. 263). Commission Comment: The Covenant is codified…

Commonwealth Legislature. The Commonwealth Legislature is composed of a Senate and a House of Representatives. Source: N.M.I. Const. art. II, § 1. Commission Comment: This chapter codifies several constitutional provisions concerning the legislature. For other provisions relating…

Commonwealth Legislature: Senate. (a) The Senate consists of nine members, with three members elected at large from each of three senatorial districts: (1) First Senatorial District: Rota. (2) Second Senatorial District: Tinian and Aguiguan. (3) Third Senatorial District: Saipan,…

Commonwealth Legislature: House of Representatives. (a) The House of Representatives consists of 14 members with 12 members elected from Saipan and the islands north of Saipan, one member elected from Rota, and one member elected from Tinian and Aguiguan. For purposes of electing…

Commonwealth Legislature: Organization and Procedure. Each house of the legislature shall: (a) The House of Representatives shall convene at 10:00 a.m. and the Senate shall convene at 11:00 a.m. for organizational purposes on Saipan on the second Monday of January in the year fol…

Commonwealth Legislature: Election of Officers by Secret Ballot. The election of officers of the Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature shall be decided upon during the first organizational session of the Commonwealth Legislature. Source: PL 4-8, § 1, modified (repealing PL 3…

Accounting of Fixed Assets and Capital Goods. (a) All fixed assets and capital goods purchased under any legislative account established pursuant to Article II, Section 16 of the N.M.I. Constitution, shall not be transferred out of the custody of the legislative branch, except as…

Personal Liability Penalty. Any outgoing member of the legislature who violates 1 CMC § 1107(b) shall be personally liable in a sum equal to the value to replace the property. The civil penalty shall be assessed by a judge of the Commonwealth Superior Court and an action to enfor…

Short Title. This chapter may be cited as the “Second Marianas Political Status Commission Act of 2015.” Source: PL 19-63 § 1 (Aug. 26, 2016), modified. Commission Comment: In addition to savings and severability clauses, PL 19-63 included the following Findings and Purpose secti…

Second Marianas Political Status Commission. (a) There is hereby created the Second Marianas Political Status Commission, referred to in this chapter as “the Commission.” (b) The Commission shall consist of nine voting members and two non-voting ex-officio members selected as fol…

Organization of the Commission. (a) The Commission shall hold its first meeting no later than thirty calendar days after all its members are appointed. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall convene the first meeting and shall preside until such time a Chairperson is e…

Powers and Duties of the Commission. The Commission shall have the following powers and duties: (a) To carry out the purpose of this chapter, as fully described in PL 19-63 § 3; and (b) To review and examine carefully whether the people of the Northern Mariana Islands, under the …

Adoption of the Commission’s Final Report. (a) Upon the receipt by the Legislature of the Commission’s Final Report on its findings and recommendations on such political status and option(s), the Legislature shall have ninety working days to review such findings and recommendatio…

Employment. The Commission may employ secretaries, legal counsel and other consultants or staff as the Commission may require, and upon request by the Chairperson of the Commission, the Governor and the Legislature and the Public Auditor shall make available to the Commission suc…

Contracts. The Commission may enter into such contracts, leases, or other agreements or transactions as may be necessary and proper to fulfill its duties and responsibilities under this chapter and execute all instruments that are necessary and appropriate in the exercise of any …

Non-applicability of Certain Laws. The laws of the Commonwealth pertaining to procurement, personnel and employment shall not apply to the Commission. The hiring of consultants, and professional staff, and employees shall be made on the basis of education, experience, merit, skil…

Repositories for Commission Documents. The Northern Marianas Archives at the Northern Marianas College shall be the repository for all unclassified records and material pertaining to the work of the Commission, which shall include but not be limited to: minutes of all meetings of…

Financial and Audit Services. The Public Auditor shall provide financial audit services to the Commission while it is in existence, and shall commence an audit of the financial records of the Commission immediately upon the completion of its work and dissolution. The audit report…

Appropriation and Authorization for Appropriation. (a) Without further legislative appropriation, the Governor shall reprogram the sum of not less than $100,000 to the Commission, to support the operations of the Commission. (b) The Commission shall make quarterly reports to the …

GENERAL PROVISIONS § 121. Definition. The term “public purpose” shall include, but not be limited to, any purpose which meets one or more of the following criteria: (a) The benefits are equally available to the entire community; (b) The service or commodity supplied is one needed…

GENERAL PROVISIONS § 122. Ratification. The legislature does hereby ratify and deem to have expended for a public purpose and the Department of Finance shall pay as requested all expenses incurred by members of the 11th Legislature which were incurred and submitted to the Departm…

Short Title. This division may be cited as the Executive Branch Organization Act. Source: PL 1-8, § 1, modified. Commission Comment: PL 1-8 took effect August 10, 1978. Many Commonwealth Code sections have effectively been revised by Executive Order 94-3, the “Second Reorganizati…

Short Title. This Act may be cited as the “Youth Affairs Act of 2001.” Source: PL 12-67, § 1. Commission Comment: PL 12-67 took effect October 19, 2001 and contained findings, repealer, severability, and savings clause provisions. According to PL 12-67: Section 2. Legislative Fin…

Purpose. There is hereby established an Office of Special Assistant for Youth Affairs within the Office of the Governor whose purpose will be to develop comprehensive youth development plans and policies, and to develop and offer programs and services for the Youth of the Commonw…

Definitions. As used in this Act: (a) “Commonwealth” means the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. (b) “Council” means the Commonwealth Council on Youth Affairs. (c) “Office” means the Office of the Special Assistant for Youth Affairs. (d) “Special Assistant” means the …

Duties and Responsibilities. The Office shall: (a) Formulate plans and policies, develop a comprehensive approach, coordinate and/or implement programs and services to enable the youth to develop his full potential and skills, talent, leadership ability, good sportsmanship and ci…

Chief Administrative Officer. The Special Assistant shall be the chief administrative officer of the Office and shall be appointed and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Special Assistant shall be responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the Office and t…

Programs Authorized. Notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, the Office shall, in consultation with the Council, establish and maintain such programs and services for youth in the CNMI as provided in Section 2854 of this Act. Source: PL 12-67, § 12, modified.

Funding. The Governor shall either identify new sources of funding, or reprogram existing funds, for the initial budget of the Office. Thereafter, the Special Assistant shall include in his annual budget request necessary funds for the operation and manning of the Office. Source:…

Commonwealth Council on Youth Affairs. There is hereby established a Commonwealth Council on Youth Affairs within the Office of the Governor. The Council shall consist of eight members appointed by the Governor for terms specified below. Council members otherwise eligible may be …

Council Duties and Responsibilities. The Council shall have the following duties and responsibilities: (a) Act in an advisory capacity for the formulation of the Office’s policies, programs, and review and make recommendations on annual budget requests from the Special Assistant;…

Council Meetings. The Council shall meet at such times and places as it shall prescribe by rule or resolution, but it shall not be less than once every three months. All its meetings shall be public and notice of such meetings shall be given three days prior to the date scheduled…

Voluntary Services. The Council has the authority to solicit and accept services of individuals and organizations on a voluntary basis in the Office’s programs under a carefully planned and supervised manner. Source: PL 12-67, § 10; amended by PL 19-47 § 6 (June 2, 2016).

Annual and Special Report. Utilizing the resources of the Office, the Special Assistant shall make an annual report to the Governor, with a copy to the Council, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House, at the termination of each fiscal year setting forth a summation of …

Short Title. This Act may be cited as the “Military Liaison and Veteran Affairs Office Act of 2002.” Source: PL 13-34, § 1. Commission Comment: PL 13-34, which took effect December 5, 2002, contained the following provisions: Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to tran…

Office of Military Liaison and Veteran Affairs: Established. There is hereby established within the Office of the Governor, notwithstanding any language to the contrary, the Office of Military Liaison and Veteran Affairs, which shall have its head an Executive Officer for Militar…

Assistance to Military and Veterans. The Executive Officer for Military Liaison an Veteran Affairs shall be responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the office and shall have authority over all military and veterans’ affairs of the United States Armed Forces in …